Insights for Higher Ed Presidents: Fireside Chat with Brit Kirwan

In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton invites Dr. Brit Kirwan back to discuss the dynamic and challenging landscape of higher education. They discuss many of the high-stress challenges higher education presidents are facing today. 

With more capacity than students and issues like political interference, the decline in public trust, and the threats to academic freedom, the higher education president's role is more stressful than ever before. 

Overview:

Dr. Kirwan shares his wisdom on the evolving landscape of higher education. His perspectives are a guiding light for current presidents and leaders in the field, offering strategies to navigate and overcome the myriad of challenges they face.

Key Topics: 

Political Incursions in Higher Education:

• Rising political influence on university campuses threatening academic freedom and integrity.
• The need for university leaders to balance political pressures while upholding educational values.
• Strategies to navigate and mitigate political interference in academic institutions.

Financial and Enrollment Challenges:

• Innovative approaches to handle fiscal pressures and enrollment declines.
• Emphasis on strategic planning and adapting to changing financial landscapes in higher education.
• Identifying alternative revenue streams and efficient resource allocation.

Maintaining Academic Independence:

• Upholding academic freedom in the face of societal and political shifts.
• The importance of academic integrity as a cornerstone of higher education.
• Encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking in academic environments.

Leadership in Challenging Times:

• Insights on effective leadership for current and future university presidents.
• Embracing adaptive leadership styles to address evolving challenges.
• The significance of visionary and empathetic leadership in higher education.

Higher Education's Role in Society:

• The critical function of higher education in advancing national and global progress.
• Fostering innovation, scientific advancement, and economic growth through education.
• Preparing students to be informed, responsible, and active citizens.

This episode concludes with a synthesis of the perspectives shared, offering practical solutions and insightful strategies for leaders in the higher education sector. The guidance provided is essential for navigating the complexities of modern higher education and leading institutions towards a prosperous future.

 

Final Thoughts for Higher Education Presidents:

Kirwan emphasizes the importance for higher education presidents to remain actively engaged and involved in meaningful pursuits post-retirement. 

He highlights the necessity of thoughtful planning for life after presidency, underscoring the benefits of leveraging years of experience to make impactful contributions.

This advice is coupled with reflections on the rewarding nature of choosing and focusing on areas where one can be most helpful, drawing from the wealth of knowledge and experience gained throughout a career in higher education leadership.

 

Read the transcript →

 

About Our Podcast Guest

Dr. William E. “Brit” Kirwan is chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland (USM).  He is a nationally recognized authority on critical issues facing higher education. He served as chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM) for 13 years (2002-2015), president of the Ohio State University for four years (1998-2002), and president of the University of Maryland, College Park for 10 years (1988-1998). Prior to his presidency, he was a member of the University of Maryland mathematics faculty for 24 years.

 

Dr. Kirwan is the past chair of, among other boards, the American Council for Higher Education, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, the American Association of Colleges & Universities, the Business Higher Education Forum, and the National Research Council Board on Higher Education and Workforce. He also served as the co-chair and chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics from 2004 to 2016. Presently, he chairs a Statewide Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, which has been asked to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to enable Maryland schools to perform at the level of the world’s best school systems.

 

About the Host

 

Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of Changing Higher Ed^®, is a consultant to higher education institutions in governance, accreditation, strategy and change, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm’s website: https://changinghighered.com/.

 

The Change Leader’s Social Media Links

 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrumm/
• Twitter: @thechangeldr
• Email: [email protected]

 

#HigherEdProblems #HigherEducation #ChangingHigherEd

---